The number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Colorado feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or larger was estimated at 890,000 head as of March 1, 2016.

The latest inventory was 1 percent above last month’s inventory but no change from the March 1, 2015 inventory. Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 155,000 head of fed cattle during February 2016. This was 19 percent above the previous month’s marketings and 7 percent above marketings one year earlier.

An estimated 170,000 head of cattle and calves were placed on feed during February, up 17 percent from January 2016 placements and up 13 percent from a year ago. Of the number placed in February, 15 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 24 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 24 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, and 38 percent weighed 800 pounds and greater. Other disappearance for February, at 5,000 head, was unchanged from last month and last year.

UNITED STATES

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on March 1, 2016. The inventory was 1 percent above March 1, 2015.

Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.71 million head, 10 percent above 2015. Net placements were 1.65 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 335,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 300,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 445,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 630,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.59 million head, 5 percent above 2015. Other disappearance totaled 58,000 head during February, 3 percent below 2015. For a full copy of the March 2016 Cattle on Feed report please visit www.nass.usda.gov.